Monday, July 11, 2005

Baler Now!

This is for all Balerians who have not been home for quite some time. Some of you were away for a year or less and these pictures will look familiar. But for those who have been away for years, this photoset will be a revelation. This is what the Poblacion of Baler looks now. Most of the pictures were taken along the Quezon Highway. The map shows the location and direction where each picture was taken. Enjoy!

PHOTO 1: The Municipal Building. During the tenure of Mayor Emil Etcubañez, the walls of the plaza were torn down to make place for the covered court.

PHOTO 2: Quezon Highway, from where it starts in front of the Aurora Memorial Hospital and going to Suklayin and San Luis area. The building on the left is Mount Carmel College and on the right is the Quezon Memorial Park.

PHOTO 3: San Luis St. This is the road in front of the hospital going to Brgy. Buhangin. The hospital is on the right (not on picture) and the structures on the left, beside the Quezon park, are pharmacies and the permanent rolling stores whre lunch is good and cheap.

PHOTO 4. This old house is located in front of the park on the corner of Aurora St. and Quezon Highway. It is unoccupied and owned by the Molinas.

PHOTO 5. Quezon Highway in front of the park. Another shot of the Molina house with other houses along stretch.

PHOTO 6. This house is located along the Highway on the corner of Angara St. This is the present house of Ka Karding Rivera, the original owner is the family of his wife. Fill me up on this please.

PHOTO 7. On the other side of the Molina house along Aurora St. and Quezon Hiway.

PHOTO 8: Aurora Street going to Bugos Street.

PHOTO 9. Aurora Street going to Baler Institute. On the right is the Quezon Memorial Park. The greenish house on the left is the home of Batangbaler regular Ymay Lady.

PHOTO 10. Quezon Highway going to Suklayin. Photo taken from the corner of Aurora St. The tall tower is the transmitter of Studio 23.

PHOTO 11. The former Farmacia Amor at the corner of Angara and Mabini Streets.

PHOTO 12. This is the Cautivar house located on the other side of the former Farmacia Amor along Angara St.

PHOTO 13. Corner of Quezon Highway and Angara St. The road on the left goes to the gate of Baler Central School.

PHOTO 14. I posted this earlier. This is the corner of Quezon Highway and Angara Street going to Buhangin.

PHOTO 15. Quezon Highway going to the hospital. Taken from the corner of Angara St.

PHOTO 16. Quezon Highway going to Suklayin. Taken from the corner of Angara Street.

PHOTO 17. Angara Street going to Baler Central School.

PHOTO 18. Angara Street going to Buhangin. Taken from Quezon highway.

PHOTO 19. The house at the corner of Quezon Highway and Carrasco Street.

PHOTO 20. The houses at the corner of Quezon Highway and Gomez Street. Going to Suklayin.

PHOTO 21. Carrasco Street going to Burgos Street.

PHOTO 22. Corner of Carrasco and Quezon Highway.

PHOTO 23. On the other side of the road. Quezon Highway corner Carrasco Street.

PHOTO 24. Recto Street. This road goes all the way to the new Public Market and the Kinalapan area.

Kudos to you Joseph! Thank you for posting those pics; your hard work and effort is very much appreciated by many.When I went home last year to Baler, after being away for 17 years, I felt like an outcast talaga. In my mind, I thought the places and people would still be the same pero ibang-iba na. Hindi ko na ma-identify yung mga tinirahan namin before. Mabuti na lang ang bakery ni mang Efren ay na ron pa - point of reference ko. Sa Recto St. kami dati nakatira at tambay ako sa vulcanizing shop ni ka metu Flores.Wish ko lang sa Baler ay gumanda ang daan in that way maraming tourist ang maka-visit! Baler has alot to offer!

Looking at this pix, I can't help but be nostalgic. I have not been to Baler for quite sometime. I've always regarded it as a place to seek solitude and peace. But from what the pix shows, I was disheartened. It may have reached the modernization that it always crave for but it also lost its glory, its serenity, the Baler aire. Made me wonder what happened all through the years that I have not seen it.Anyway, still the efforts to put this pix together is appreciated. No offense meant. Thanks a lot.